a student newspaper

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Muse lives up to a high standard

Yanti shines brightly at Sheldon

Sheldon girls are ready to tee off

Are iPads the future of Sheldon? One of our schools wisest staff, Darin Henry, had a thought that was quite interesting, “If they could afford it, it would be a good idea.” This seems to be the number one thing people are worried about. Senior Jason Reutov said, “I prefer books.

They are more authentic and natural.” This is something that most students agree on. Most of these students had the same concern, stating that a book could be dropped more than once while an iPad would break the fi rst time. Several students were asked this question: “Which classes do you believe would profi t the most from the use of iPads?” Much of Sheldon agreed on language, English, and science classes. Most students, especially senior Robert Nowak, seemed to think that it would be a huge expense and the possibility of thefts would be highly probable. Another question asked to senior Jason Reutov was if he thought that the academic GPA of students would increase because of it, Reutov said, “No, it would be a distraction.”The results were staggering, but it is about fi fty-fi fty. Although the truth is that most seniors don’t really seem to care for the most part about this subject for they will be gone by the end of this year. Let’s face it; most people would use an iPad for one of the following popular

apps: Angry Birds, Temple Run, Temple Run 2, and social networking Apps. The average person spends at least four to fi ve hours a day watching TV. Therefore, what type of positive stimulation if any would we actually utilize our brains for? “I believe that students will not get as much from starring at a screen,” junior Meredy Darland strongly stated. An understanding of technology could really improve a resume, due to the fact that most careers will entail the use of technology. The fact that technology gets outdated and that something new and better will be made to replace it will always be true. A clear example of this is Apple’s fast trending software which seems to change every three months or so: the iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iPad, and iPad Mini are the cause of a craze that perpetuates buying the newest and best thing--the constant pursuit to keep updated. Here is this one last view, “The upside of this scenario is that the school would save more money instead of spending it on costly books,” said senior Jason Reutov.

The iPad pushes the limit of scholastic tech

Ray Lavariegastaff writer

Coffee cart to provide business experience

Sammie Tracewellstaff writer

Intro to Business and Marketing students look to open a coffee cart to use as a hands-on learning tool

will because it’s conveniently located in the school.” As previously stated, only a few Intro to Business students will be working at the cart in the beginning, as it will be a “trial” run. Phillipo said that there aren’t a lot of applicants to choose from, as most kids haven’t taken the second business class. He also mentioned that the fi rst people to be considered for the jobs will be the ones who have completed the Intro to Business and Marketing course. Besides coffee, there will eventually be iced teas, Italian sodas, smoothies, and possibly even pastries and sandwiches. Phillipo also noted that the machines have already been purchased from the suppliers, and the coffee cart should be up and running within a month and a half—ballpark after Spring Break. Sophomore Mackenzie Barron said that she thinks that Dutch Bros will still be more popular than Starbucks and the Sheldon coffee cart among students. Barron supposes she’ll buy from the cart around two times a week, but is not willing to pay more than three dollars for a cup of coffee from the cart. When asked how successful she thinks the cart will be, Barron replied, “I think it will be pretty successful, but not Dutch Bros successful.” She thinks that seniors and the Sheldon staff will buy more from the cart than any other class. Barron didn’t think that she would want to work at the cart if she got the chance, due to extra-curricular activities. With the addition of the coffee cart will come many opportunities to adapt and improve leadership skills

among the working students. Sheldon’s assistant principal Michael Johnson gave his idea of what the adapted leadership skills will be like. Johnson said that the working students will be able to use what they learn to start a small business, and more importantly, maintain a successful business. He also noted that they will learn the responsibility of providing good business to others, and the skills to be good employees. Johnson added that, “what they do in there is real-world stuff.” He said that the skills that the students will learn will be transferrable for entrepreneurism, budgeting, corporate management, and profi ting. Lastly, Mr. Johnson noted that the principles the students learn will be applicable to the real world, and that he believes the whole experience will be huge for them. All in all, the addition of the coffee cart will be big for both consumers and the working students. The customers will be able to buy some tasty drinks and foods, right here in Sheldon, while the workers will learn incredibly useful leadership and management skills. Although there is the good chance that Dutch Bros, Starbucks, and Market of Choice will attract more customers from Sheldon, the coffee cart will be a nice option for when the weather isn’t too fantastic. The student employees can take the skills they receive to the next level; maybe they will start their own business someday. Many people are excited to see what the cart has to bring and to see how successful it will be.

Sheldon High School 2455 willakenzie Rd., Eugene, Or 97401 vol. 48 Issue 5 March 1, 2013

page 3shstalisman@gmail.com

Among Sheldon students, much con-troversy swirls around plans to use iPads in the 2013-14 school year

Swimming district champions x 3

Jackson Darlandeditor in chief

Jackson Darland photo

the Talisman

Seniors Nathan Klump, David Perlow, and Austin Williams recieve applause for their win in the 200 freestyle relay.

The Sheldon boys swim team wins the southwest conference district champion-ship for the third time in a row

On Saturday, February 9, the Sheldon boys swim team won its third consecutive southwest conference district championship. The Sheldon boys took fi rst in nine out of the eleven events, placing second in both the 100 and 200 meter freestyle events. Sophomore Curtis Hubbard won both of his individual events—the 100 meter butterfl y and the 100 meter breast stroke. He also helped both of Sheldon’s freestyle relay teams to take fi rst. As an underclassman, Hubbard is on track to do some amazing things and will continue to be a leader for the Sheldon boys over the next two years. Hubbard said, “It’s pretty shocking that I have all of this potential. I’m going to train hard and see what I can do with it.”

After Spring Break, a coffee cart will be added to Sheldon. Instead of the Selco bank branch, students will be able to enhance their business and leadership skills through this cart. A variety of coffee and food will be sold. There are various opinions to this addition to the school, especially since Market of Choice, Dutch Bros and Starbucks are within walking distance. Ultimately, the success of the cart will depend on Sheldon students and staff. This coffee cart will be run by seven or eight students who have completed the Intro to Business course. Mr. Phillipo, who teaches business and technology at Sheldon, and senior Taylor Alie are the two main people in charge of the cart. When asked if he thought many people would buy from the cart, Alie replied, “I think some people

Muse lives up to a high

Junior Sam Braziel placed fi rst in the 200 meter individual medley, second in the 100 meter breast stroke, and also contributed to

the 400 meter freestyle relay and the 200 meter medley relay. In response to his enormous accomplishments on Saturday, Braziel said, “It feels good because of all of the work that we put in.” There is a general consensus by Sheldon swimmers that the team has an atmosphere of mutual support and motivation; the idea is all about working hard together as a unit. Senior Nathan Klump talked about the work ethic and cohesive spirit of the Sheldon boys: “We’ve had time to develop as a team and we enjoy spending time with each other. Sam Braziel, David Perlow, and Curtis Hubbard all work out twice a day for swimming, and they inspire me to work harder.” Klump won the 50 meter freestyle, placed second in the 100 meter freestyle, and swam legs in the freestyle relays. Klump said, “It was awesome to go out my senior year and win three of my four events and go to state. And it’s sweet that the team won three years in a row!” Of Scott Kerr, the Sheldon swim team head coach, Klump appreciatively stated, “He’s a great coach. You can always trust what he’s doing; if you do what he says, you know you will do well.” It is clear that the talent, the coaching, and most of all the unifi ed effort to train hard, has carried the Sheldon boys swim team to great levels of success.

March 1, 20132 the TalismanNews

100 convicted prisoners were set free late last year because of budget cuts

Jarod Baysfeatures editor

Carley Kramerentertainment editor

Meetup gains popularity among Eugenians

The third nuclear test surprises many and causes opinions to diverge

Cya Silvaopinions editor

Budget cuts haven’t just made the local schools sacrifi ce programs and excess spending, but also the Lane County jail system. The losses in the jail system due to budget cuts, though, were arguably greater and defi nitely more dangerous. Late last year the sheriff had to release nearly 100 detainees and inmates consisting of every kind of criminal- including one inmate accused of murder. Not long after, one of the ex-convicts was found guilty of a bank robbery since he was released. While the budget cuts were necessary, the actions taken are highly questioned and controversial. The thing on everyone’s

mind now is how do we fi nd a solution to this problem? Another question on everyone’s mind is, how should we start reform? Sophomore Spencer Steinbach had a few ideas. “I think we need more capital punishment,” he said on the controversial issue. Capital punishment isn’t the answer for everyone, of course. The death penalty is perhaps more controversial and problematic than the original issue itself, having been argued over across the nation for years. The idea of more funding for jails has been greatly discussed. In a recession, it’s hard to fi nd more sources for this funding, but many people feel differently. Sophomore TJ Strong said, “I think we shouldn’t [fund jails] because we should use the money for other stuff, like stuff that’s more necessary.” But just like on the national level, students have different ideas for solutions. Strong said, “I think to prevent [crime in Oregon] there should be better cops, like in the movie End of Watch.” Junior Jessica Knowlton displayed quite a different

As many of you may know, North Korea has made the United States its mortal enemy, and has been building up their military power for years. As of the last few years the focus has been on nuclear weaponry, and on January 24, 2013, North Korea announced that it would be testing a nuclear warhead by fi ring it at the United States, according to Huffi ngton Post. This has brought fear to the hearts of many U.S. citizens, but there is a great question that must be answered − should we be nervous? Sophomore Jariko Cox said, “These threats are defi nitely valid. North Korea is jealous of the United States, and they have dedicated themselves to destroying us.” Cox also admitted, “I am a little scared. You never know, anything may happen.” As far as what should be done about this threat, sophomore Sam Todahl had an idea. “I say we attack them, and come at them. If our government would stop being so scared, by attacking them we could collapse their country easily.” As one anonymous student said, “It seems to me the only thing we’ve done to stop them from nuking people is give them money and ask them kindly not to.” So why haven’t they acted yet? The sad reality is that North Korea is in a state of extreme poverty. Most of their citizens are starving to the point of cannibalism, and the military doesn’t have suffi cient funding to properly maintain their equipment. In spite of this, on February 12, 2013, North Korea conducted its third nuclear test, disguised at fi rst as a very suspicious earthquake. This test could

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very well signify that North Korea is close to creating a nuclear weapon small enough to fi t on a missile, and they have stated that, “If the US further complicates the situation with continued hostility, we will have no choice but to take even stronger second or third rounds of action,” according to BBC, none of which were specifi ed. Unfazed by this, junior Connor Jordan said, “North Korea is simply trying to show off. Their leader feels he needs to show off to the rest of the world in order to gain power, so

opinion. “Jails are wack right now because they need more government money to be able to run and have people serve them full time.” When asked about the best action to take as fi rst priority. Knowlton later added, “I think post-release support, because people need to be on good feet before they go back into the world. If they have a steady start, they might not be driven to such desperate measures.” There are supporters behind almost every opinion for solutions, whether it’s more or less funding, capital punishment, or the treatment of ex-convicts. These recent events defi nitely have sparked an interest across the nation, and brought up the very important issue of how we should deal with the prison reform that is obviously needed. Despite disagreements now, a solution to these events is near in the future. They could be as soon as the next election, or maybe as far as elections in the next several years. Either way, Oregon jail systems, and jail systems all over America, need reform.

he makes idle threats.” He later continued, saying, “North Korea is like the Chihuahua barking at the door. You don’t really care about why it’s barking, but you should probably still fi nd out.” There are many who share different views of this subject, whether they fear the possible nuclear threat or whether they believe North Korea isn’t actually crazy enough to do anything. Even more importantly, however, people are gaining awareness of the issue at hand. Whether you are scared or indifferent, one thing is for certain – these threats have not gone unnoticed.

Diverse Eugenians gather to share life’s experiences through Meetup.com

North Korea conducts its third nuclear test

Meetup.com is a rising trend amongst Eugenians. It’s a place where you can organize or join a meeting with others for a specifi c activity; whether it be outdoor recreation, vid-eo gaming, massage groups, arts and crafts…the possibili-ties are virtually endless! And for Hippie-town, USA, it’s a wonderful place to meet others in our diverse community. For example: Two weeks ago, a group of fi ve men from Bend, Oregon, spent two nights cross country ski-ing around Maiden Peak and the south side of Waldo Lake, stopping at several different ski shelters along the way. Although they fi rst met on meetup, they have continued to plan trips throughout the past few years; they have become good friends as they have embarked on journeys through Oregon’s great wilderness areas. Senior Kyle Radley, former features editor for Talis-man, seemed entranced by this. “I think that a website

like [meetup] is fantastic. A lot of social networking sites don’t emphasize on groups that you can meet peo-ple [that you don’t know] who share the same interests.” Others, on the other hand, seem wary of it. “I mean, I think it’s cool. [But] you can’t always trust people on-line.” senior Haley Powers commented. “We’re not in-teracting on a personal level. [It’s just another] Facebook type thing so we don’t talk to people face to face.” And in a way, that’s extremely true. Technology can take the place of your face-to-face interactions. “It used to be where if you didn’t have someone’s number, you couldn’t get ahold of them.” Radley later said. “But now we have so many opportunities to connect to people we’ve never really known before.” As with every town, this can be dangerous. “Any social website has a risk. You risk go-ing to meet with Joe Shmoe, having no idea what’s he’s done, who he is, or what he could do. With any online site, the opportunity to lie about yourself is always present. It can be a total recipe for disaster.” Radley said. Pow-ers was also in agreement. “You can’t always

Jail systems lose funding and face reform

trust people online. You should be super careful.” Overall, do the benefi ts outweigh the risks? “Maybe [I’ll use it] in the future. Probably not immediately though.” Radley said, “I have a lot of friends who like to do what I like to do who are here. But if I move away and don’t really know anyone, I might defi nitely probably use it.”

Micah Tamasaka illustration

Excellent. Begin to mass produce nuclear weap-ons. We’ll have everyone at our feet in no time.

My fellow Americans: Due to North Korea’s noncompli-ance to stop making WMDs, it is with great sadness that I report that the United States will have to send troops to North Korea.

Sir, the test was a success.

March 1, 2013 3the Talisman Entertainment

Muse stops in Portland while touring to promote its new album The 2nd Law, putting on an amazing show

Josiah Darlandstaff writer

Several Sheldon students give commentary on the popularity of the boy band One Direction

Muse performs at the Rose Garden

One Direction: Why are they so popular?

Have you ever thought about how pregame music can affect players differently than just to get them pumped up before a game? Often it can affect the players attitude, and not only the players, but the audience as well. Many pregame playlists made by players generally have songs that suggest vulgar, disrespectful ideas and often have explicit language, too. The way most playlists are made now is by the players and the coach checks for unclean songs. Although there have been incidents where a few explicit songs have been played, it should not happen. Freshman Alyssa Barclay said, “It is important that all songs played are clean and do not support vulgar ideas, because there are families and children that attend games. Also, it wrongly represents our school and team.” Barclay clearly pointed out that having explicit songs played is

disrespectful to the crowd and we need to make sure we always have the clean version of any explicit song.” It would be a good idea to make sure all songs are clean or are in their edited version. “Doing that will make the playlists still effective, and still respectful to the crowd,” says Barclay. Freshman, Abigail Nelson said, “Having songs played before games can be very helpful and yet destructive at the same time. If songs are really negative then they may not be okay to play to a public crowd. It’s important to make sure that the crowd comes before the players.” Warm up playlists are great if used in the right respect, and they need to be more carefully monitored. Boys basketball varsity coach Ron Lampe said, “We have had issues in the past with having inappropriate songs being played which resulted in me using my Ipod consequently.” Lampe clearly states that he agrees with warm up playlists. Lampe said, “I like playlists and I want to keep music available to

One Direction: five beautiful guys, millions of screaming girls. They’ve sold thousands of albums, and have had 15 of their songs make it to the charts. Zane Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Liam Payne form the popular British boy band. With catchy songs like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Live While We’re Young,” the young musical group is sure to have success in the future. But what is

it that makes One Direction so popular? Where did they start out? And why has their success grown so rapidly? Freshman and self proclaimed Directioner, Aubri Rodriguez, says she first heard about the band when she saw their music video for “What Makes You Beautiful” on YouTube and thought they were cute. She also said, “I think [One Direction] will make it far in the music industry because as they grow as a band, their fans will grow with them.” She also added, “They have meaningful lyrics, and catchy songs.” Obviously, there are quite a few teenage girls who like One Direction, but what about the boys? When freshman James Kang was asked if he liked the band he replied, “Their music is catchy, but I’m jealous of them because they’re rich and famous.” Kang later said, “They will have a future in music, though, because girls love them and will continue to buy their music.” Freshman Garrett Peters agreed with his classmate saying, “I don’t like their

Portland residents were ecstatic after hearing the news that Muse would be in town. A few lucky Sheldon students, including myself, went to their Portland show on January 31 . Muse recently put out a new album, The 2nd Law, which has received mixed reviews from fans. Along with the new album came a new stage set for the tour that makes each concert spectacular. The band has won numerous “Best Live Act” awards, and after seeing them play live, it’s clear why. Muse’s experimental, symphonic sound combined with the stage’s light show made for an unforgettable performance.

Muse have been playing together since their college days in 1994. While living in Teignmouth, England, singer Matthew Bellamy successfully auditioned to be in drummer Dominic Howard’s band. The two later decided to break off and form a band of their own called Gothic Plague. Chris Wolstenholme quit drumming, joining the band as a bassist. The trio had several name changes which included Fixed Penalty and Rocket Baby Dolls, eventually settling on Muse. Muse released their first studio album, Showbiz, in 1999 and had a steadily growing fan base around London. The band has released five diverse albums since then, gaining immense popularity in countries all around the world. Although the band’s sound is difficult to describe in a word, their music has seemed to evolve with their two latest albums. The majority of the fan base seems to prefer the band’s older, heavier albums over their newer, more electronic sound. Sophomore Alex Nelson likes the band’s new sound as well as their old. Nelson said, “Absolution, the

one with ‘Hysteria’ on it, was the album that made Muse my favorite band.” Absolution was Muse’s third studio album and one of the most popular albums among fans. Sophomore Matthew Holmes is alright with the change. Holmes said, “I like the change in sound. It shows their progression.” Whether you’re a fan of the band’s changes or not, one thing is for sure: Muse continues to put out music that makes their concerts bigger and better than most. They’ve won 13 various “Best Live Act” awards, including two “Best Act in the World Today” awards. Although the band has been known for their awe-inspiring stage setups for years, they really started to go above and beyond the norm during The Resistance tour which went from 2009 to mid 2011. Each band member was on their own elevated tower, covered with screens showing graphics and videos. The stage setup for The 2nd Law tour, which has been going since August 2012 and will continue through September this year, also has striking visuals. An elevated,

upside down pyramid with screens playing music videos and band footage hangs above the threesome. Throughout the set, the pyramid lowers to the stage, turning upright. Screens also surround the band in a circle around the bottom of the stage. Sophomore Tyler Furgason was lucky enough to see Muse in Portland during both of these tours. Furgason said, “[The 2nd Law tour] was just as good music-wise, but performance-wise, The Resistance tour was better.

Ayla Bussel copy editor

Emily Peirpointstaff writer

music because it’s geared more towards girls.” Peters also added that girls probably wouldn’t listen to their music if they weren’t attractive. In conclusion, he stated, “They won’t make it far in the music industry because previous boy bands like the Jonas Brothers were very famous for awhile and then split up and weren’t heard from again.” Juniors Shelby Bartram and Shelby Thompson think that the band’s accents and looks contribute to their popularity. When asked what would make them less popular, Bartram concluded, “I think if they weren’t as attractive [as they are] and if they had horrible voices and no harmony, then they wouldn’t be as popular.” Thompson added that “They aren’t very good role models for teenagers because they smoke and drink.” The question of their future in the music industry was brought up to which Thompson said, “They’ll probably split up because every boy band does.” However, the girls agreed that if the band wasn’t as attractive, they would still like them. Bartram noted, “Music is music.

Pegame playlists can be a good tool to pump up athletes as long as songs don’t send inappropriate messages

Pregame playlists are a double-edged swordplayers who want it.” Lampe wouldn’t take away playlists but agrees with the idea that they need to be appropriate and respectful for the audience and players. “We can still have a good warm up playlist and have it be respectful so there is no need to take that away,” added Lampe. Having a playlist is definitely an okay thing. We just need to make sure that the songs used are appropriate for the public.

Emily Peirpoint photoMuse gets ready to come out on stage at the Rose Garden in Portland after lowering down an enormous pyramid onto the stage.

Feat

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es

Sheldon vs. Orsono College Being an exchange student can feel very different because life is filled with new experiences. It offers a good opportunity to learn a sec-ond language and enjoy a totally unique culture. Though Sheldon High School is very different from high school in Osorno, Chile, the cit-ies are actually quite similar because of all of the greenery, the weather, and the overall size. Osorno is a city in the south of Chile, where there are many schools such as Osorno College, where they teach English. Sheldon is very big compared to Osorno College. In Sheldon there are only four grades, while in Chile schools are K-12. The thing that is surpris-ing is that the number of students in each school is the same, meaning that Sheldon has a much larger population per grade. Another big difference is the structure of the class schedule. In Osorno College/Chile, students stay together in one class through sophomore year. After that, students continue to take core classes in their original groups, but they take additional mixed classes that are specific to an area of study such as humanities, sciences, or math. Moreover, in Osorno College, teachers are the ones who change rooms throughout the day as opposed to students. In Sheldon, almost every class is made up of different students, which is a totally new concept. The size of each class at Sheldon is about 40 students, which is a big class com-pared to Osorno College where there are almost 25 students in each class. Lunch time is also different. At Sheldon it’s about 40 minutes

Valentina Carillostaff writer See the difference though the eyes of a Chilean exchange student

whereas in Chile it’s almost two hours! Students can go home and rest before classes start again. Each period at Sheldon lasts about 80 minutes, and in Osorno College, classes last about 40 minutes. On the topic of class choices, at Sheldon there are more opportunities and choices for every kind of class, such as sports. There is football, basketball, tennis, swimming, etc. There are about 20 different sports for students to choose from. A huge amount compared to Osorno College, because students are only offered about seven sports. This is surprising, because in Sheldon there are more activities and clubs where students can enrich themselves. There is also a difference in the clothes that students wear. In Os-orno College it is mandatory for students to wear a uniform to school ev-ery day. While in Sheldon, students can wear whatever they want. Many students in Sheldon wear sporting, punk and even cowboy’s clothing. Without having to wear uniforms, there is a better chance for students to express themselves. This is interesting because students can meet dif-ferent people. While in Osorno College it seems to be the same kind of people, due to this simple factor of the clothes that students wear. There are many differences between Osorno College and Sheldon, however these schools are not so different at all. Both are composed of students and teachers who are working hard to make a better future. The teachers especially are hard at work, preparing students for the day they will study in a major university.

After years of hard work and devotion, senior Hannah Rodrigues is wrapping up her fourth and final season playing basketball for Sheldon. She fell in love with the sport in elementary school, and has been devoted ever since. Countless hours of practice and perseverance have brought her to where she is now. Although it is sad that her time at Sheldon is almost complete, the best is yet to come: Rodri-gues will continue her career playing basketball for Seattle Pacific University. Hannah started playing basketball in elementary school, and reflected, “I tried every sport, including football, and settled on basketball.” Upon en-tering middle school, she was forced to choose between playing basketball or soccer, and decided to stick with basketball. At the end of this season, she will start a new chapter of her life and play for Seattle Pacific Univer-sity. When asked how she feels about this, Hannah said, “It’s sad; I’m defi-

Basketball player Hannah RodriguesSheldon says goodbye to another great player

Geneva Lehnertstaff writer

DavianaStaff writer

nitely going to miss [playing for Sheldon], but I’m excited to try some-thing new.” Her coach, Mr. Brancato said, in regards to playing at SPU, “I’m excited…, she’ll be a good addition [to the team], and her coach will be happy with what he’s getting, as a player and a person.” Over the years, Rodrigues has created a good reputation for herself, both on and off the court. Sophomore teammate Sarah Hall comment-ed, “She’s great to be on a team with, and she’s always positive.” Hall later added, “She’s also a good natural leader”. Coach Brancato added that Hannah is great to coach, and said, “She’s a smart kid, she sees the big picture….” To maintain her academics and continue improving her skills, Hannah reflected, “I’ve had to sacrifice a lot of my free time.” During her time at Sheldon, she has grown as a player and as a person. Dur-ing her sophomore year, she was chosen as the most valuable player. Coach Brancato said, “She’s taken on a leadership role, and she could have been satisfied with MVP two years ago, but she has kept working on other parts of her game.” When she moves on, Seattle Pacific University will be gaining a very valuable person, both on the basketball team and on campus. We will be proud to say that she learned what she knows from playing for the Irish.

Like all things, education must shift and change with societal demands. If a student needs more courses, Sheldon will help to supply them. As of January 30, 2013, anyone can take classes in the new Virtual High School program. To sign up is easy and free, and there are hundreds of classes, most of which cannot be found at any high school in 4j. Mr. Washburn stated, “I personally think it’s here to stay, but it can never replace being in a classroom.” For students that are more introverted and don’t like large classes, this could bring a whole new world of opportunities, but children who learn better in groups might miss the social aspect. Students would have to be primarily independent but, if needed, they could also communicate with teach-ers and other students in their courses through private messages. If you think you would want to join VHS, get the official “Virtual

High School (VHS) at Sheldon High School” packet from your councilor, fill it out, and bring it back to your councilor for fur-ther guidance. The booklet for VHS boasts, “Communicate and collaborate with classmates that could be from a small town in rural Maine, a big city in Illinois, or an international school in Venezuela, India, or Malaysia.” Virtual High School isn’t just fun and games though; it requires the same amount of work as regular high school. For standard courses, there are roughly six to eight hours of work per week; for Honor’s, eight to ten; for AP, ten to twelve. Michael Johnson, secondary assistant principal, pointed out, “They give assignments just like traditional school.” Students who have taken it say that they would recommend it to others and it was a useful tool to better their education. Sophomore Haley Horton stated, “You don’t get any notification for assignments so you constantly have to check back, but other than that, it’s a really great system.” She also finds plenty of time for outside activities, even though she’s taking VHS on top of her normal schooling. Horton later said that her life has definitely changed for the better with the addition of VHS and she hopes to continue through the summer and next year. Especially when us-ing VHS as an add-on to traditional high school, this could prove to be a valuable device to help teenagers improve their education.

VHS - the future of education?Virtual High School, or VHS, is an online class- taking system that is revolutionizing the way high school students learn

Daviana Smithstaff writer

Micah Tamasaka illustration

Features

Adjusting to a new lifeChanging schools can be diffi cult, but moving from another country is even more so. Yanti Kusmiati has done a fantastic job of adjusting to her new life.

Thank goodness that Sheldon’s art department has survived over the years! The art department is a good place if you have talent, want to fi nd out if you have tal-ent or just to take an art-related class. If you are a beginner artist you should defi nately try getting into an art class, it will help improve your skills. Sheldon staff and students use art classes as a creative outlet to practice their imaginative skills. Ms. Herbst, who taught in the art district for twelve years said, “My job is awesome. I like that I can teach what I want and nobody has to tell me what to do. I love that the students are very cooperative and enjoy being in

art.” Art supplies are very expensive, but are worth the cost in order to have good art work. The art department is for students at Sheldon to have a cre-ative side and be able to express themselves in something they enjoy doing. Students love to take art classes because they can set free their imagi-native sides for 83 minutes a day. Sophomore Daylyn Gould said, “I have taken photo 1 and I really enjoyed taking that class. I had a great experience. I took a lot of great photos; I have not taken any draw-ing and painting classes, but will look forward to taking one in the next few years. I really enjoyed Photo 1, and hope to be in Photo 2 next year.” Many students feel that they can be more engaged with the teacher and that helps bring out the creative side in them. Sophomore Jasmine Jordan said, “I love Nina Herbst. She’s really great and the art she teaches is dif-ferent.” The new teacher, Ms. Herbst, has changed the way many students feel about art. Jordan later added, “I like the art classes because you get to express yourself and have a class to relax and do something enjoyable.”

The art department is as alive as ever

Senior Yanti Kusmiati is an exchange student from Indonesia who has adapted well to living in Eugene with her host family since September. She is a multitalented student who is involved in many different activities at Sheldon. One of her amazing talents includes fl uently speaking two languages. She speaks Indonesian and English, but she is also in the process of learning German and Spanish. She is on the swim team, in the key club, sings in the choir, and maintains her good grades as an Honor Student. Yanti is an exemplary student that many students should use as an example of what they should strive to be. Yanti has been learning English, which is required at her school in Batam, Indonesia, since fi rst grade. One of the challenges she has faced since moving here is the pronunciation of English words. Kusmiati said, “I pronounce words bad and many people don’t understand what I am trying to say.” The students at Sheldon are nice and ask her many questions, which makes her experience at this high school very good. Yanti keeps herself busy in order to keep herself from getting homesick, and does so by joining the swim team, theater, key club, and most of all, the choir! Kusmiati said, “I love singing in the choir; all the people there are so nice and we get to communicate more than in other classes.” Sometimes she feels out of place because she looks different than everyone else due to the fact that she wears a hijab, a head scarf. She doesn’t let standing out get her down, however, because she knows that it is part of the experience. It is amazing that she even got the chance to come here. According to Kusmiati, “Only 80 students out of 8,000 in my country got to go abroad, so I had to fi ll out lots of applications and had to compete against many other people.” Her fi rst impression of the students at Sheldon was: “They’re different.” One of Kusmiati’s good friends, sophomore Sophia Warner said, “Yanti did a presentation in my choir class and I volunteered to help her. We did a dance together, and that same day she ate lunch with me and my friends. That was the day we became friends.” Kusmiati has had no trouble fi nding friends, most likely because she is very friendly and doesn’t care that she is different than everyone else. Sophomore Clara Riordan said, “She always puts a smile on my face because she is so optimistic.” On the diffi culty of being an exchange student, Riordan added, “She is so brave to have come from another country and to take so many risks to become involved in Sheldon.” Kusmiati just amazes others with how she handles everything. Singing is very important to Kusmiati, and that is why she is actively involved in choir. The choir teacher, Nancy Anderson said, “I was immediately impressed with Yanti. She was outgoing, friendly, very fl uent in English, and had a lovely voice, so I was glad to have her in choir.” Anderson added, “The more I get to know her, the more I’m impressed.” Kusmiati is not afraid to show everyone her talent, and that makes her experience at Sheldon much easier. Sheldon is a very diverse school with many talented students. Clearly, Kusmiati fi ts in perfectly. For Kusmiati, school is important and helps students develop useful skills that will help later in life. She is amazed by how diverse Sheldon is because of all the different ethnic groups and how everyone can choose to follow a subject or talent that they enjoy. Kusmiati is still getting used to being at Sheldon and in Eugene, which is challenging for anyone. She said, “The weirdest thing that I have eaten since being here is macaroni and cheese.” Kusmiati is looking forward to fi nishing this year at Sheldon as a senior, then going home to once again be a senior at her school in Indonesia. Many people think that school is stupid, and pointless, and they wish it would end. However, Kusmiati is having an amazing experience, so she chooses to embrace and love every minute of it!

Morgan Challburgstaff writer

The art department is still around, and it is as rewarding as it is fun!

Cayla Walkerstaff writer

Micah Tamasaka photoSenior Yanti Kusmiati has done a fantastic job acclimating to American society.

March 1, 20136 the TalismanOpinions

Noah Jangnews editor

U.S. ̶ Japan develops strong bridge between nations

Jarred Rogersfeatures editor

New Zealand has more freedoms than USA

The relationships between US and the Asia minor countries

Ethan Hauckcopy editor emeritus

The big bang vs. God snapped his fi ngers: BANG!

The land of the free and home of the brave is now no longer the most free land on Earth

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress met to formally adopt the Declaration of Independence, signifying the independence and democracy of American colonies from the monarchy of Great Britain. This marked the formation of the United States of America: a country intended to be a beacon of hope and freedom. Since then, we have prided ourselves in being the prime example of people’s freedom, except that we no longer are. Last month, a Canadian think-tank ranked New Zealand fi rst in human freedom out of 123 countries, with America falling to seventh place. Some might say this means nothing in the long-run, but to others, this should

The relationship between Japan and the U.S. is strong and growing, despite the recent history of hostility and tremendous cultural differences. It is the cornerstone of U.S. security interests in East Asia. Upon this fi rm foundation, we should continue to further develop this relationship. East Asia consists of China, Japan, North and South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Various infl uences from around the world have shaped this unique region in Asia. Hong Kong had been a British colony until the 1997 handover. Macau was controlled by Portugal until 1999. China and North Korea were largely infl uenced by the Soviet Union. South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan have had a signifi cant infl uence from the United States in previous decades. Countries in East Asia have undergone a remarkable economic and social development since World War II, and region has now become one of the most infl uential regions in the world. As a result, the United States’ relations with East Asia have become increasingly important. Since Japan is one of our closest allies in this diverse region, understanding more about Japan is the key to understanding and further developing our relations with East Asia. Japan is an island nation located in the Pacifi c Ocean. It is made up of 6852 islands; the four main islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Its history is about 2000 years old. The Tokugawa Bakufu period lasted from 1600 to 1868, and it was a period of isolation from the outside world. By mid 19th century, the Japanese

The beginning of the world, and that of humanity, has been one of the largest points of disagreement in history. Creationism is the idea of God creating the Earth, and all that is on it. These ideas include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The most common opposing idea is that of Evolutionism; that change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. A long-standing argument has been whether Evolution should be taught in schools. One of the founding principles of the United States is separation of church and state. Nonetheless, creationists, especially Christians, have argued that it isn’t fair to teach Evolution in schools without an opposing view, such as Creationism. For a

large part of my life, I was one of those people. I was of the view that it wasn’t fair to teach only one view without the other. However, as I have grown older, I have come to the opinion that since we live under separation of church and state, it is fair to teach Evolutionism, especially in a science class. One of the most common things I hear fellow Creationists say is that, “Evolutionism is technically only a theory.” However, according to Biology teacher Mr. Landis, saying that evolution itself is ‘only a theory’ is false. “The fact is, if I look at a population of bacteria over a period of time, the genetics in the population will change. However, when the theory is introduced is when we attempt to fi gure out why the genetics changed. Biologists state Evolution by Natural Selection – that is a theory.” Now that we know our facts from our theories, we can get down to the question at hand. Is it actually fair to teach only evolutionism is schools? Both Mr. Landis and Social Studies teacher Mr. Bell said yes. As far as science goes, they agreed that seeing as Evolution is science, whereas Creationism isn’t, it is fair to teach Evolution

people began to realize that they were far behind Western civilization. When Commodore Matthew C. Perry came to Japan in 1853 to issue a treaty that would open up Japanese ports for trade, they were surprised by his high class warships and military technologies. The 1868 Meiji Restoration ended the Tokugawa Shogunate and restored the emperor back into power. The Japanese people accepted Western technology and transformed the nation. According to the U.S. Department of State, the United States has had a diplomatic relationship with Japan since 1858. Japan became a strong military power in the early 20th century and was a major player in the Pacifi c theater during World War II. The U.S.-Japan alliance was severely damaged by World War II, but the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Japan has become normal since the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers disbanded. The U.S. and Japan continue to maintain a strong economic and political relation to this day. The U.S. government has described the relationship as the ‘linchpin’ of security in East Asia. Since the end of the war, Japan has become one of the most successful democracies and the third largest economy in the world. Today, we see Japanese cars, electronics, writing utensils, and other Japanese products in our everyday lives. We have also had various cultural exchanges with Japan, especially with baseball. In the 21st century, it is necessary for us to understand more about Japan and our relationship with Japan. Ms. Yoshiko Shioya, the Japanese teacher here at Sheldon, said, “Understanding other cultures can contribute to any level of interaction.” Sophomore Spencer Steinbach, who will be going to South Korea next year on an educational program, said, “I think being open-minded is important. Understanding that there are other ways to do things in this world is important.” In order to continue to develop this relationship to a greater extent in an ever changing world, we must fi rst

come as a clear indicator that changes need to be made, or we’ll risk our spot as a world power. In the month of October 2011, the SOPA bill, or Stop Online Piracy Act, was introduced to the senate by Lamar S. Smith. The bill received heavy protests, with sites such as Wikipedia, Firefox and Reddit participating in an “internet blackout” to raise awareness. A few months later, the bill was seemingly shut down, and after a while the panic on the internet died down. If this bill had come to pass, SOPA would essentially have given America jurisdiction anywhere it wanted. Meaning, if we decided a Canadian citizen was in violation of this bill, we could prosecute, despite the person not living in our country. In light of this, it’s certainly no surprise we weren’t given the highest ranking spot in human freedom. In contrast, New Zealand has recently been working to legalize same-sex marriage. A quick glance at the two countries reveals New Zealand trying to give more freedom to its residents, while we try to take it away from ours. I think that now, more than ever, we really need to

Creationism vs. evolutionism: facts vs. theories

Talisman StaffJackson DarlandJackson DarlandNoah JangCarley Kramer

Jarred RogersJarod BaysCya SilvaAJ SmithMicah TamasakaMicah TamasakaAyla Bussel

Valentina CarilloMorgan ChallburgHaleigh KrauseGenerva LehnertGrant SchmaedickSammie Tracewell

Greg Cantwell

Editor-in-ChiefFrontpage EditorNews EditorEntertainment EditorFeatures Editors

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Staff WritersIsaiah CartwrightJosiah DarlandCody KochRay LavariegaEmily PierpointDaviana SmithCayla Walker

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A message from the TalismanThe Talisman is run by students for students. The views expressed in the Talisman are not necessarily those of the Talisman staff, those of Sheldon High School, or those of the Sheldon community. If you have any letters to the edi-tor, please e-mail the Talisman at shstalisman@gmail.com, or drop a letter in our box located in the offi ce. We kindly

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look into revising several of our laws and systems, lest they begin to cause irreversible issues. It’s not just the laws themselves that need to be looked after, but also the effect it may have on our citizens. We have had so many quarrels amongst ourselves that Texas has actually made several petitions to secede. Junior Daniel Kemp said, “I think there’s a small chance of fi xing the division in our country.” If we can begin to reach a compromise on even the smallest issues, we can begin to rebuild a sense of cultural unity. From there, we can fi nally improve relations with each other, as well as with the rest of the world. While it’s true that every country has its issues, it isn’t too late to begin fi xing ours. Junior Trisdon Zepeda said, “Our biggest issue is that we claim to be all about people’s freedom, but all we do is create laws to take it away.” Unfortunately, this does seem more true than not at times, but it’s not too late to take steps to rectify this. If we begin working now, then maybe next time we’ll be ranked fi rst in world freedom.

in a school science class. As far as accompanying Evolution in science class goes, both agreed that it would be impossible to teach Creationism. In fact, there is a Supreme Court ruling that rules it unconstitutional to teach Creationism in schools. Creationism will never be taught as an ‘alternative’ class to a science class teaching Evolutionism in the United States. And frankly, that’s fair. What makes this country so great is our freedom from having others’ opinions forced upon us, and that’s where separation of church and state comes in. However, Sophomore T.J. Strong, Mr. Bell, and I all agree that an interesting class would be one that teaches the fundamentals behind each major religion, without any religious undertones; a class that shows the students what each religion’s fundamentals are, without actually teaching the religion, therefore allowing students to decide for themselves what they want to believe. Is it fair to teach Evolutionism in schools? I think so! Should it be taught as absolute fact, including Evolution by Natural Selection, even in Social Studies Classes? I think not!

understand Japan on a deeper level. Understanding a different culture is the fi rst step to building the bridge between us and a foreign nation.

March 1, 2013 7the Talisman Sports

The Sheldon girls golf team looks to take the state championship with all of its returning talent

AJ Smithsports editor

Isaiah Cartwrightstaff writer

Ray Lewis: football icon and his turnaround

March Madness on the horizon

After improving last year, the Sheldon track team is gearing up for a run at the 6A State Championship. However, a tough district may prevent them from reaching that goal, which is why preparation is so important with the first meet looming just two weeks ahead. Excitement is building amongst many members of Sheldon’s largest track team of all time. Jumps coach Bruce Goodnough and distance coach Brayce Forsha are excited to see how returning talent will develop this season. Also, new additions such as Nathan Starnes look to have a tremendous impact on the success of this year’s team. Senior Maggie Schmaedick, who placed fifth in the 3,000 last year at the OSAA State Meet and recently signed a letter of intent to run for the University of Oregon, is optimistic about the upcoming season. “I think we’ve been preparing really well,” Schmaedick said. “We’ve had a good turnout at winter workouts and I think people are excited to compete this year.” Maggie’s male counterpart, senior Jackson Darland (who also signed to run at the U of O next year), leads the boys team with a personal record of 3:55 in the 1,500 set at the Jesuit Twilight Relays last year. Both have tremendous potential this year accompanied by high expectations; however, strong supporting casts will help them to achieve their goals. Tristan Carpenter, a strong 3k runner with a personal record of 9:53, is “really looking forward to competing this year because I have more experience and I’m ready to improve and have a good time with my team.” The excitement level and amount of participation is unprecedented this year, with an all time high in participation in preseason workouts. Much of the excitement may be attributed to the potential of both teams, as well as the success of the Sheldon Cross Country program last fall. Aside from the distance team, new additions such as Starnes, while still undecided about his events, looks to beef up an already strong group of sprinters, including sophomore Sam Todahl. “We’re gonna’ rack up a ton of points this year,” said Todahl, who also competes in the high jump. With the first meet approaching, it’s clear that Sheldon’s tough district will make it difficult to achieve the ultimate goal of a state championship, but with an extremely balanced team, exciting competitors, and experienced coaches to lead the way, the Sheldon Track Program looks primed for a great season.

Coming off of a good season from last year after taking third at the 6A State Championships, the Sheldon girls golf team has four out of their five starting players returning for the 2013 season. Abby Brennan, Sammy Rouleau, and Alexi Bevans are the three seniors this year who are returning. Haleigh Krause is back for her junior year after taking third place as an individual at state last year. They also have a new member of the team this year, freshman Jenny Krause. Coming into the season this year, what are their hopes, and how well will their season go with so many members returning? Senior Abby Brennan said, “The golf team is supposed to do really well this year and there are a lot of girls trying out for the team, so it should be really fun.” Brennan later added, “My favorite part of the golf team is hanging out with the girls and the golf tournaments are fun to play in.” This year on the team they have three girls who will be going to college on scholarships, but only two of them are going for golf. Alexi Bevans will be attending Belmont University in Tennessee this fall, and Abby Brennan will be attending Concordia University in Portland. The other senior, Sammy Rouleau, is going to the University of Idaho for volleyball. Going into your senior year is a great feeling, especially if you are a four-year varsity player. Abby Brennan, Sammy Rouleau, and Alexi Bevans all played on varsity for the Sheldon Irish. Senior Alexie Bevans said, “It’s a great experience, and the team has gotten better every year!” The team is very close and they bond really well together. “Having the seniors on the team is great because they are so uplifting and really fun to be around on and off the course and at tournaments,” Jenny Krause later added. These seniors will have the opportunity to play at the collegiate level and compete to the best of their abilities. “Every person on this team will get better,” said Coach Todd O’Neal. Coach O’Neal went to Sheldon High School as well and played golf and was on the diving team. He is a Club professional at Emerald Valley. “I love coaching kids that have a passion for golf and who love the game. If they feel that way, they will have a great time on this team.” O’Neal also coached the men’s golf team at Sheldon for four years as he led them to win two state championships.” Jenny Krause said, “He is a great coach; he loves the kids and really knows the game well.” This year is supposed to be a good year for these girls. “It’s great to be a freshman on a team that is really close and has been successful in the past couple years,” Krause added. These girls have a long road ahead of them and they are ready to get back on the course.” It’s going to be a really fun season, so I hope we do really well.” Rouleau later added.

Lisa Krause photo

Girls golf will be ready to tee off

Haleigh Krausestaff writer

Freshman Jenny Krause watches her fairway shot.

The NCAA tournament is almost here and Oregon looks to make an impact in a season where few thought they could Despite having a troubled past, Ray

Lewis has made the most of the situation he has been in

March is a Mad time of year for basketball fans as it is filled with exciting basketball games. The crazy games that go on during the NCAA tournament reinforce the name March Madness, and it is all the talk during the month. Though there are Cinderella stories, many top-tier teams etch out close wins over teams who barely even got into the tournament, which makes for intense drama. Oregon looks to join the fray in March with a record of eighteen wins and five losses. Some of the most dramatic games are in the beginning of the tournament, where upsets are rampant and close games are a dime a dozen. The rounds of 64 and 32 offer the most games in the least amount of time, which creates a fierce atmosphere that the fans love. Senior Taylor Klinko said, “I really like the first and second rounds for the upsets and the great competition that the fans get to see. The final four provides the four teams with more pressure than the first rounds, since they have gotten so far already.” Not only does the tournament create drama, but being able to identify with a team, such as the Ducks, makes the tournament a hectic but exciting time for Oregon fans. The Ducks have had a roller coaster of a year, starting the conference play with an unpredicted seven wins and zero losses. The Ducks slid slightly with three losses in a row. The team still maintains a top 25 ranking and looks strong going into the last two games of the regular season and then into the end-of-season Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments. Junior Jonathan Riley said, “The Ducks have really surprised everyone this year with their play and I can’t wait to see what they can do in the NCAA tournament.” The team has proved to have what it takes to win big games, such as their win over previously- third-ranked Arizona. Riley later added, “I predict the Ducks will get to the Sweet Sixteen, but will get eliminated in that round.”

Grant Schmaedickstaff writer

Sheldon track preparing to competeReturning players and new members all look forward to a fresh start this season

Thirteen-time pro bowler. Two-time Super Bowl cham-pion. Seven-time first team All-Pro. Two-time NFL de-fensive player of the year. Ring any bells? Well, it should. These are the stats of the greatest linebacker of all time: Ray Lewis. Despite his alleged murder trial and six differ-ent wives, Ray Lewis is not only a great football player, but he is also a great person. He has made an impact on many people’s lives with his emotional leadership, and his deep commitment to his faith. He had a chance to seal off his sev-enteen-year-long career with the greatest accomplishment of all: winning the Super Bowl. But it didn’t come easy. After asking who the best linebacker of all time is around school, all four of the responses came with the same an-swers: Ray Lewis. “Ray Lewis has overcome so many obstacles and works so hard to master his craft. How can he not be the best ever?” said sophomore Pavel Specht. “The thing that separates him from the others is his work ethic and dedication. There’s no one else out there more dedicated than he is,” Specht later added. Specht even went on to say that Ray Lewis is the best linebacker in the game right now despite his age and torn bicep injury. Lewis is not just great on the field. He also excels off the field, constantly participating in charity work, and also holds church services for teammates and others who want to discover God. He started the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation which is a nonprofit corporation that provides personal and economic assistance to troubled teens living in pov-erty. When sophomore Sabrina Smith was asked about Ray Lewis off the field, she had this to say: “He seems very dedicated to his faith. I think his image outside of football has been slightly ruined when he was accused of murder.” Smith also seemed to be very impressed with the accomplishments Ray Lewis has achieved on the field. After seventeen years of hard work in the NFL, Ray Lewis has created a reputation for himself as a lead-er, hard worker, and arguably the greatest linebacker of all time. No inside linebacker in the history of the NFL has ever been sent to the Pro Bowl thirteen times, made the all-pro team ten times, or started more NFL games as an inside linebacker (227), besides Ray Lewis. When sophomore Kyrell Jefferson was asked about Ray Lewis as a player, he said, “I think he’s a cheater for using deer antler spray.” Jefferson added, “He’s still a very good linebacker, though.” Sophomore Taylor Con-lon had other thoughts on the alleged use of deer antler spray. “I don’t think it really mattered too much.” Conlon also said, “He probably would have recovered in time for playoffs anyways. It was unnecessary for him to take it.” At the end of the day, it’s safe to say that the greatest line-backer of all time is still unknown for some. But for others, the greatest linebacker of all time represents hard work, dedication, and leadership, which really is Ray Lewis.

Kendama comeback

Backpage

There are just as many names for “wheeling” as there are different types. Some of these names are mudding, crawling, playing, 4-wheeling, and 4x4ing. Wheeling is driving a vehicle, normally a 4-wheel-drive truck, over all sorts of terrain. Some common terrains are mud, sand, rocks, over logs, water, up steep hills, or a mix of everything. Wheeling has been around just about as long as vehicles and it’s growing just as fast in the population, as it is fun. Wheeling is something that a lot of people fi nd very fun. Senior Keionna White said, “I think it is one of the funnest things out there.” Unfortunately, wheeling is illegal in a lot of places and it is hard to fi nd a legal place to go. If you get caught for illegal off-roading there can be a lot of other charges tagged onto it, like reckless driving, for example. When asked what she felt the punishment should be for wheeling in an illegal place White said, “There shouldn’t be any punishment because it shouldn’t be illegal.” The off-roading community in the Sheldon area is very small. When asked if he felt many people around Sheldon went wheeling, junior Jake Warren said, “Nope.” Many people also feel that it is targeted to a specifi c group. When Warren was asked if he thought wheeling has a specifi c group of people that go he said, “Yes, rednecks.” Warren was later asked if he knew anyone who went wheeling,and he said, “Yes, Matt McMichael and Cody Koch.” When someone sees a muddy truck, their reactions may vary. Some think that it is un-tasteful to have mud and dirt all over your truck, some people think that it looks cool, and some people, like Warren, wish that they were there getting in on the fun. No matter who you are, or what “group” you’re in, almost everyone that has ever gone wheeling can agree that it is a blast. If you have never gone, it is defi nitely something you should look into and keep an open mind about until you try it.

The traditional Japanese game known as Kendama has been spreading in popularity throughout Sheldon. Making its Sheldon debut in the Japanese Club, Kendama quickly made its way around to every part of Sheldon High School. This simple yet diffi cult game is the challenge that many students have been looking for. Kendama consists of a stick of wood with three different sized cups. The goal of the game is to swing the ball that is attached to the stick by a string, into one of the two cups. Sheldon teacher Shioya Sensei said, “I am very happy to see Kendama gaining popularity around Sheldon.” Shioya Sensei later went on to say, “Kids started playing Kendama in my class, and then went on to play it with their friends.” There are many different theories on how Kendama was created. One of the widely accepted theories is that a form of Kendama originated in Europe. It then made its way to Japan where it then became Kendama. Junior Ben Harter said, “It has always been very popular in Japan, but I never thought that it would become so popular in America.” The

Cody KochStaff Writer

Sam Senocontributing writer

Mudding, crawling, 4x4ing, oh my

Micah Tamasakabackpage editor

If you love the outdoors, try 4x4ing

There’s a new buzz going around Sheldon and you need to know about it

Coffee: your daily morning waker-upper

Effects of coffee on the human being

Coffee. Some have said that it is a drink for the gods and the wealthy, but in this day and age, it has become a widespread, popular commodity that is enjoyed by the masses. What exactly does this South American bean have that is so accommodating to our modern culture, and what effects can coffee have on our bodies? There have been many studies about what coffee does to those who drink it and what some of the contributing factors are. The science behind coffee contradicts several assumptions that have been made about its potential effects. Remember those old wives talesthat your mom used to say? Like how coffee can stunt growth, or that it can cause cancer, or how it is an addictive substance? Turns out, these statements are only partially true, or completely inaccurate. While someone is drinking coffee he or she might feel more awake and have a better outlook on life; however, there are some negative effects that people might have noticed such as cold hands, muscle tension, increased heart rate, or hyperactive. The caffeine in the drink is so chemically similar to the adenosine in the body that it will take the caffeine and transfer it to the hosts brain, where it actively acts on the receptors in his or her brain that help reduce stress. While adenosine is there; it helps with lowering high blood pressure, stress levels, body temperature, and it slows some of your digestion. Senior Morgan Mellor said, “I think that people should drink coffee but they should limit their intake of it.” The problem with caffeine is that when an excess amount of it reaches someone’s nervous system it starts to mess with his or her breathing and emotions. In some cases it can even cause hyperventilation. Mellor later added, “I’m not for or against coffee.” Coffee also causes the body to release adrenaline; adrenaline is a side effect of “fi ght or fl ight” response when someone’s in danger. Fight or fl ight can be really helpful when facing down an assailant or a rabid animal; however, it’s not very effi cient when replying to a curt email. A caffeine-generated adrenaline surge can also affect rational thinking and increase blood pressure, which is the complete opposite of adenosine – a negative effect. A positive effect of coffee, especially with regards to caffeine, is that it can actually help some people ward off depression. If someone drinks coffee in the early mornings, it can have a positive effect on his or her attitude to make the day more enjoyable. This is only a temporary effect. Senior Mark Phillips said, “Well, there are a lot of things that can help keep you from getting depressed, such as chocolate.” Chocolate is a good way to help brighten someone’s mood but the thing about chocolate is that the substance that’s helping someone to not be depressed is the sugar that is added to the chocolate and a natural ingredient from the cocoa beans that chocolate is made from, which is a small proportion. Coffee beans also have this natural ingredient which increases the heart rate and releases endorphins into the brain. This is the affect that the caffeine in the drink has on someone. Coffee has found a strong foot-hold in modern day society and will remain there until otherwise removed through either different products or drinks. Though there are some negative effects, there are also some positive ones. The times when people work around the world may be different but most people would say that they start their days off with a nice hot cup of Jo and wouldn’t know how else to start it. No matter where people go, they will always fi nd this dark liquid in the hands of its people.

game’s addictive nature has made it a hit all around the country. You can go on YouTube and see people all over the world doing cool and crazy Kendama tricks. The game may be simple, but the possibilities are endless. Senior Evan Lytle said, “I think people enjoy Kendama because it is something that everyone can do and enjoy. Even if you are not good at it you can still enjoy it, and it’s a challenge.” The fact that anyone can play is one of the main reasons why we are seeing it grow in popularity. Many games and activities are limited to a certain group of people. In order to participate in these games you have to have a certain set of skills. Kendama is really an activity that anyone can enjoy. Kendama is an activity that will continue to grow in popularity around Sheldon, and around the country. It just goes to show that you don’t need a crazy complicated idea to grab the attention of Americans. All you need is a game that challenges you and leaves you wanting to improve your past score; and Kendama has both of these aspects.